Year 8 - Autumn

Year 8 Curriculum overview - Autumn term

English

In the first half term, year 8 will be developing their writing skills by exploring personal diary entries from a range of sources. There will also be a focus on developing spoken language in the context of role plays.

After the October half term, year 8 will be exploring ‘Amazing Grace’ by Hoffman and Binch in order to develop their reading and comprehension skills.

Maths

In maths we will continue to develop the core skills of number- covering place value, counting, ordering, arithmetic and times tables. Problem solving skills are developed.

Time – ordering everyday events, reading time on analogue and digital time and developing an awareness of functional time.

The pupils will have regular sessions using RM Easimaths. Some will start to use MyMaths and other ICT resources.

Additionally, this term there will be topics on shape, measures, patterns, sorting data, fractions, area, capacity and mass.

Understanding Our World – Science

Elements, mixtures and compounds - In this theme pupils will explore the range of materials that exist and they will carry out activities to develop an understanding of what is meant by the words mixture, element and compound. Some time is spent looking at different ways of separating mixtures and at the properties of the elements that are grouped as metals.

Looking at Light - During this theme pupils will study light and the way in which it behaves. They will explore examples of reflection and refraction. They will find out how mirrors and lenses are used in everyday devices. The theme ends with an exploration of how the eye works.

Understanding Our World – Computing

Using the Internet - Pupils will develop the skills to navigate the World Wide Web with an Internet browser. They will consider how to use search engines to get the best results for their needs and ensure that all e-communications are effective and appropriate. They will consider how to stay safe online and demonstrate an understanding through their online behaviour and responses.

Working with Data - They will start using a spreadsheet to explore different ways of storing and manipulating data. To begin with, they will identify different types of data and build the confidence to represent data in different ways. They will go on to model real life scenarios and to use formulas and functions within Excel to answer what if… questions.

Understanding Our World – Humanities

Pupils will be getting to know the Tudors. They will be focusing on the lives of the Tudor monarchs and how they ruled especially thinking about whether they were a successful monarch or not.

In addition, pupils will find about Brazil; its major towns, landscape and culture. They will be learning about the importance of the Rainforest, its animals and the environment in which they live.

Understanding Our World – Religion and Ethics (R and E)

What does it mean to be a Christian? - What is Christianity? Pupils will consider ways in which Christians worship, finding out about some of the things that help them. They will think about new ways to look at the religion and its stories. There will also be an opportunity to look at examples of Christianity in paintings and sculpture. Pupils will be able to use key questions to help them to join in discussions and write down their ideas.

Art

This term we will be looking at landscapes and sculpture. Pupils will look at a range of artists from Constable and Van Gough to Barbara Hepworth and Andy Goldsworthy. We will be studying photography, perspective, sculpture, printing, drawing and painting.

Design and Technology – Resistant materials

Creating Storage – Pupils will design and create two items one to store books and the other for jewellery. They will develop their research, designing, wood work and painting skills. As well as this they will have to work to a given specification and theme. As an extension they will create a piece of acrylic jewellery based on style of Art Nouveau.

Alongside this, pupils will be asked the questions, 'What is good design' and 'What makes it good or bad'?

Design and Technology – Textiles

Creative textiles – Pupils will start their time in textiles creating a simple cushion out of a shirt, which they will then add an embellishment, such as a flower to which they will create in felt with they have made themselves. Following on from this they will either extend their dressmaking skills in a small group and/or create a textile landscape.

Alongside this, pupils will be asked the questions, 'Why do we wear different clothes for different activities' and 'What makes different fabric good for different clothing'?

Performing Arts – Music

Instruments, fun and games - Pupils will be concentrating on the enjoyment of music, finding out about timbre, pitch and duration as key words. There will be plenty of opportunities to learn about orchestral instruments and to use tuned percussion in pupils’ own performances. Each lesson will include singing, listening and performing activities and assessments will be based on Sounding the Alarm.

Performing Arts – Dance

Elements of dance - This term, pupils will be focussing on the four key elements of dance, Action, Space, Dynamics and Relationships. Pupils will need to bring their PE kit to lesson as they attend lessons exploring these key words, studying and taking inspiration from professional work and choreographing their own routines.

PE

The physical education programme for this term is health related fitness, netball and swimming. Health related fitness lessons will assess level of fitness and record progress over the term. Pupils will develop a better understanding of importance of taking part in regular activity. Netball will allow the students to develop co-ordination skills and apply team work during mini games. During swimming lessons, the students will continue to develop stroke technique and efficiency in the water.

Social Skills

Lessons will be delivered on a rotation of theory, discussion/circle time, and practical activities to allow for learning and practice. During the first term pupils will be developing their Self-awareness. This will begin by building group cohesion and establishing group rules and expectations, followed by helping the group learn about themselves and each other. This includes being able to identify what I am good at, but also what I would like to improve on. Then pupils explore emotions, thoughts and behaviours of themselves and others.

PSHE

Making friends and feeling safe - Pupils will think about emotions and friendships and how they can be a good friend to others. They will all have the opportunity to write to a pen pal and make new friends, linking this to one of our Citizenship modules – School linking. There will be a visit from the community police to discuss how to keep and feel safe at all times and in groups pupils will consider bullying, what it is, how it can be prevented as well as coping strategies.

Passport for Life – Home economics

In Home Economics the pupils will focus on basic cooking and food preparation skills. Pupils will learn how to work safely in the kitchen as well as developing, an understanding of what Home Economics is and learn the important hygiene and healthy eating rules. They will learn about basic nutrition and the importance of a balanced diet. Pupils will cook a wide range of dishes from a variety of simple recipes. Pupils will gain independence in the kitchen and begin to discuss the skills they are learning.

Pupils will understand the importance of being active and looking after themselves. They will learn that a variety of food is needed in the diet because different foods contain different substances that are needed for health. They will learn that all food and drink provide nutrients and understand that energy is provided by the different nutrients groups.

Are there any groups of foods that supply similar nutrients?

Which foods provide the most/least?

Passport for Life – Outdoor learning

In Outdoor learning the pupils will be outside in the woodland area having a hands-on opportunity to learn about the natural environment through directed tasks and play. They will be guided to use their own initiative to solve problems and cooperate with others. The students will be given a large amount of freedom in their learning.

In year 8 the main theme throughout the lessons will be building relationships and team work. Some of the activities throughout the year will include den building, fire lighting and exploration. The students will also be introduced to using tools such as knives, loppers and saws.